Ventana Medical Systems, Inc. Reticulum II Staining Kit 860-024

Reticulum II Staining Kit is used to demonstrate reticular fibers. The purpose of this stain is primarily to aid in the differential diagnosis of certain tumor types. In certain tumors, reticulum is located in a characteristic position in relation to the actual tumor cells. Reticulum stain can be used to show disease states in organs such as the liver, spleen and kidney by demonstrating reticular patterns not normal to the organ. In normal liver, the fibers are well-defined strands, but in necrotic or cirrhotic liver, the fibers have discontinuous patterns. Reticulum II Staining Kit is a modification of Gordon and Sweets Stain. Oxidizer, with potassium permanganate, oxidizes the tissue to enhance staining of reticular fibers. Decolorizer, with oxalic acid, removes excess potassium permanganate. Sensitizer, with ferric ammonium sulfate, is added to form a metal-organic compound. The metal-organic compound is replaced by the silver in Reticulum II Silver A. Reducer is applied to develop the deposited silver into visible silver. Toner reagent contains gold chloride for better contrast and clarity. Fixer, with thiosulfate, stops the reaction and removes any unreacted silver from the section. Nuclear Fast Red counterstain is applied to provide contrasting background. The Reticulum II Staining Kit stains reticular fibers black against a pink to red background.